Biography
Dr. Katherine Johnson is President of Johnson Consulting Group, a woman-owned consulting firm specializing in energy efficiency near Washington, D.C. For more than 30 years, she has directed more than 150 program evaluations investigating the effectiveness of energy efficiency programs. For the past 12 years, she has led collaborative forums advising public service commissions and government agencies on energy efficiency policies and initiatives. She has authored multiple peer-reviewed papers documenting energy-efficiency program “best practices” and has written five books and one novel. She hosts “The KJ Show” on the BoldBraveTV network every Wednesday at 11 a.m. (Eastern) discussing emerging energy trends and policies. She launched her new book “Your Handbook for Energy Savings: 7 Easy Ways to Save Energy (And The Planet)” in October 2024.
- Future: Based on your experience evaluating energy efficiency programs, what are the key factors that determine whether a program is truly effective in reducing energy consumption?
Dr. Johnson: It is critical to “begin with the end in mind.” The program must be designed to ensure that key indicators regarding program performance are captured from the start. This means that the program database must be set up to capture critical customer data, including customer contact information, installation information and other pertinent details. Without this information it is more difficult, and more expensive, to validate the actual energy savings.
- Future: What are some of the biggest challenges policymakers and organizations face when implementing energy efficiency initiatives, particularly in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors?
Dr. Johnson: The biggest challenge is offering programs or initiatives that are of interest to these customers. C&I customers are very busy and have a lot of pressing needs. Energy usage is not necessarily top-of-mind unless the customers understand how installing a piece of new equipment will lead directly to energy savings. So, the biggest challenge is getting the attention and interest from C&I decision-makers. Moreover, these customers want streamlined solutions, and sometimes policymakers over-complicate program designs.
- Future: With the rise of AI, smart grids, and IoT in energy management, how do you see these technologies shaping the future of energy efficiency?
Dr. Johnson: The demand for energy will increase significantly as more companies rely on AI, and thus, the need for more data centers. All of these technologies use a lot of energy, and data centers, for example, are located in rural areas that may not have sufficient infrastructure to support this increased demand. So, energy efficiency becomes critical as companies need to look for ways to reduce energy consumption in other applications to free up the availability of energy for AI and IoT. Building controls and commissioning programs are some of the strategies that many utilities and energy organizations are using to help reduce energy consumption in overall building operations.
- Future: You have worked extensively on cost-effectiveness evaluations of energy efficiency programs. What methodologies do you find most reliable for assessing cost-effectiveness?
Dr. Johnson: The energy industry pretty much relies, almost universally, on the cost-benefit tests developed originally in California. The Total Resource Test has been modified by some jurisdictions to reflect other “societal costs and benefits,” but this method is more subjective than objective.
The jurisdictions I work for focus on quantifying actual costs and benefits from measurable improvements, including energy savings, reduced water consumption, and improved operations and management. I find the most reliable way to assess cost-effectiveness is to base the assumptions on actual data rather than trying to incorporate a multiplier to account for other “non-energy benefits.”
However, other jurisdictions try to quantify the non-energy benefits associated with energy efficiency, primarily improved health, comfort, and safety. Given the difficulty of quantifying these benefits, such as reduced emissions or reduced respiratory illnesses, some jurisdictions simply include a “adder” of 10% to 15%. But I prefer basing my analysis on real numbers, not estimates.
Energy efficiency is a policy that benefits everyone across all sectors in society.
- Future: In your book, The Energy Savings Handbook, you emphasize easy ways to save energy. From your research, what are the biggest behavioral barriers preventing consumers from adopting energy-saving measures?
Dr. Johnson: Lack of information about energy use. We have a serious energy literary problem, as most customers don’t understand how their lifestyles affect energy use. Most customers take energy for granted and only worry about it when they have a high monthly bill. But customers should realize that they can save energy in simple ways like washing the dishes after 9 p.m. or turning the Gameboy when it isn’t used. There are a lot of ways to reduce energy consumption that are easy to do and relatively inexpensive.
- Future: You have led collaborative forums for over a decade. What are some key takeaways from these discussions that have shaped the way we approach energy efficiency today?
Dr. Johnson: Energy efficiency is a policy that benefits everyone across all sectors in society. The Arkansas Public Service Commission views energy efficiency as a to reduce the overall energy burden, which affects low- and moderate-income customers the most. The Parties Working Collaboratively (PWC) in Arkansas brings together utilities, program implementers, energy advocates and key stakeholders together to improve current program offerings and increase the overall effectiveness of energy efficiency programs statewide. The key takeaway is that the collaboration in Arkansas has led to significant energy savings for all ratepayers because we are all working towards the same goal. Everyone is working to achieve the same goals regardless of political views.
https://energy-evaluation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2014-berlin-katherine-johnson.pdf
https://www.aceee.org/sites/default/files/pdf/conferences/eer/2015/Matt_Klucher_Session2E_EER15_9.21.15.pdf
- Future: How have U.S. federal and state policies evolved over the years in supporting energy efficiency, and what policy shifts do you anticipate in the coming decade?
Dr. Johnson: Energy efficiency will continue to be even more important, especially as the country looks to diversify its energy sources. The cheapest energy source is a “negawatt,” so even if the federal government moves away from renewable energy to fossil fuels, energy conservation is still critical. It is much cheaper to save energy rather than build a new power plant. I think there will be a continued movement towards an “all of the above” energy policy as our energy needs will continue to increase. A diversified energy policy that includes energy generated from nuclear, coal, hydro, natural gas, and renewable energy technologies in order to meet our increasing energy needs.
- Future: As the president of Johnson Consulting Group, what trends do you see emerging in the energy efficiency consulting field? How can firms like yours adapt to these changes?
Dr. Johnson: We must evolve to meet our clients’ needs. In the evaluation field, that means adopting existing methodologies to assess new program designs, such leveraging AMI data to provide more exact and granular data regarding energy savings. Firms like mine must also expand our scope of services to collect better data from the new types of customer groups, including community-based organizations and hard-to-reach customer groups. We have to expand our capabilities to serve these non-traditional customers and use more mixed-mode research methods including online and telephone surveys in multiple languages. To learn more about my business, please visit my website: https://johnsonconsults.com
- Future: Through your podcast, you cover emerging energy issues. What are some of the most exciting or concerning energy trends you’ve discussed recently?
Dr. Johnson: I am always fascinated by the new technologies that are being piloted in the energy industry. Some of the more innovative technologies including smaller and more efficient HVAC systems that can replace radiators in apartments, even smarter thermostats, and advances in the building envelope such as electric wallpaper and paints that can improve overall heating and cooling. Some technologies may not prove out, but it is so encouraging to see the creativity and ingenuity that engineers and designers have to explore new ways to generate and save energy.
I address topics like this on my show, which is available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2mJRFNbd_wgYmHhSfXjzNdT-WaIUWQ_J
To learn more about these emerging technologies, check out Episode #114 of The KJ Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKODoe-XseE&list=PL2mJRFNbd_wgYmHhSfXjzNdT-WaIUWQ_J&index=117&pp=iAQB
- Future: For young professionals and researchers interested in energy efficiency, what key skills and knowledge areas should they focus on to make a meaningful impact in this field?
Dr. Johnson: Evaluators like me need to have a broad skill set. The skills I rely on daily are a strong foundation in statistics, including regression analysis, and a solid understanding of economics and business operations. But the most important skill is the ability to communicate well, both in written reports and also presentations. I recommend a degree that offers a variety of perspectives, such as business management or engineering and economics. I also recommend joining the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP), which is made up of energy professionals who work in all areas of this sector: https://aesp.org/
We sincerely thank Dr. Katherine Johnson for sharing her invaluable insights on energy efficiency and policy evaluation. Her expertise and decades of experience in the field provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in advancing energy solutions. We appreciate her time and look forward to further discussions that drive innovation and efficiency in the energy sector.
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